What Is The Feast Of Tabernacles?
What is the Feast of Tabernacles? Some are already aware of this 7-days long biblical festival but the majority of people are still unaware about it. Some realize that the Bible mentions this Holy Day for religious celebration. But only a few can name this feast or explain its significance. Those aware of this biblical festival generally believe that it was meant only for ancient Israel and that the need for this ceased following Yahshua the Messiah’s crucifixion. They assume this day simply pointed toward Yahshua Messiah, concluding that, since He lived on earth 2,000 years ago, its importance has long since passed. Most people consider this festival as nothing more than relics of history with no relevance to the modern world. Believe it or not, the Bible itself clearly contradicts these commonly held views. Surprising to many, the New Testament shows Yahshua Messiah observing the Holy Days of the Bible, as well as His disciples following His example in observing them many decades after His death, burial and resurrection. The teachings of the apostles in the years of the first century after the resurrection also differ from most people’s assumptions. The apostles’ instructions reveal an Elohim who intended that all Christians observe this biblical Holy Day and other sacred Holy Days—and for a remarkable reason! Today, we are going to share with you all about the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Ingathering or Sukkot in Hebrew. We hope and pray you’ll have the eyes to see and the ears to hear this true and faithful heavenly Kingdom message.
The name of the Feast of Tabernacles derives from Elohim’s command to ancient Israel to build temporary “tabernacles” sometimes called “booths,” to stay and to live in during the festival. The Israelites left their houses and built temporary dwelling places to live in while rejoicing before Yahweh. These reminded them of their release from slavery and their dwelling in booths when Elohim Yahweh brought them out of Egypt (Leviticus 23:34; 41-43). In stark contrast to the hardship of slavery, this festival emphasizes rest, peace and prosperity as it meets the needs of all people, including strangers, widows and the poor. The Bible emphasizes that, as with booths or temporary dwellings, our physical life is transitory. The apostle Paul’s writings reflect this theme: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of Elohim, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2). Hebrews 11 recounts the examples of many of Elohim’s faithful servants down through the centuries. It then concludes that “these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were all strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). This holy Feast is an annual reminder of the temporary state we’re in now and that we also “seek a homeland” (Hebrews 11:14). This lesson is reinforced to us when we travel to a site of the Feast and stay in temporary dwellings such as hotels and campgrounds. This yearly festival reminds us that, in spite of our material possessions, we are still physical, mortal human beings in need of a literal transformation so we may possess an eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
Furthermore, all the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles pictures the 1,000-year rule of Yahshua Messiah immediately following His return to the earth (Revelation 20:4-6) known as the Millennium. Prophet Isaiah describes this future period as a time of peace when Yahweh’s Law will go forth to all nations from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4). At that time the fierce nature of animals will change (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25), the earth will become highly productive (Isaiah 35:1), and, most important, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Elohim as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). With Satan’s evil influence removed that time, all of humanity will at last learn Yahweh’s ways. This perfect environment will offer all people that time an opportunity to repent of their sins and come to Elohim the Father through Yahshua the Messiah. The Bible shows that Yahshua Messiah attended this important festival (John 7:2; 10, 14). Yes, during Yahshua’s 1,000-years reign on the earth He will create what human government has not been able to accomplish for thousands of years—lasting peace, true justice and the great opportunity for holy knowledge to flourish within the human family! Prophet Isaiah foretells this future time in many of his exciting prophecies.
Isaiah says, “He (Yahweh) shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation” (Isaiah 2:4). Isaiah also states: “The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water” (Isaiah 35:5-7). Make no mistake that these scriptures will be ultimately fulfilled when the Righteous One who sits at the right hand of the Father, Yahshua Messiah, returns to earth. Yes, the earth will be totally changed, not through the achievement of mankind, but through the mighty power of Yahweh! Remember that obedience to the Feast of Tabernacles is now being observe and has been a servile practice of Yahweh’s people in the past! The Feast of Tabernacles will be done also by all the nations in the future. Notice the words of the prophet Zechariah: “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16). And yes, this Feast is not only for the Jews but for us all wanting to have a true and personal relationship with our heavenly Creator Yahweh!
What is the Feast of Tabernacles? In summary, the seven days of this Feast represents the seventh millennium of the ages of man, the coming Kingdom of Almighty Yahweh and the 1,000-year reign of Yahshua the Messiah and His resurrected Saints in future time on the earth. It is an age during which Satan the devil will remain imprisoned, and restrained from any influence upon humanity (until after the 1,000 years are finished (Revelation 20:3). The Feast of Tabernacles portrays the harvest or ingathering of Yahweh’s people on the entire earth. In the accounts of the vision that has come to be called the “transfiguration,” Savior Yahshua gave a glimpse of the Kingdom of Yahweh to apostles Peter, James and John. Yahshua appeared in glory and was talking with Moses and Elijah. Notice! Peter’s immediate response was to suggest that they quickly construct three tabernacles. He understand the important connection between tabernacles and the future age of Yahweh’s Kingdom (Matthew 17:1-9; Luke 9:27-36). The Father in heaven Yahweh calls the people out of the world at this time to become His chosen people, sanctified and redeemed by Him (2 Corinthians 6:16–7:1). They are to live exemplary lives as Elohim prepares them for holy service during Messiah’s millennial reign and beyond. The opportunity to help others understand and be reconciled to Yahweh is a wonderful calling that, we, in this ministry will continue to do and honor. Our faithful ministry and all the others who serves in this way will be called “the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In” (Isaiah 58:12). To all of our brethren of the same faith out there listen to what the apostle Peter wrote: “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify Yahweh in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12). We hope and pray for your understanding of the importance and the significance of this Feast. May love, truth, mercy and peace be with you. May the days of this Feast strengthen your hope and your faith to Yahweh and Yahshua. We humbly ask and pray for these things to Almighty Father Yahweh through Yahshua our coming Messiah, Master and King, Amen. Halleluyah, Shalom!
